Someone Else's Heart

Chapter One

Snow was falling fiercely outside when the pages arrived at Ivangod Castle with the life shattering message. Rosalyn would have much rather them been delayed by the storm or lost and in some distant land: anything to prevent them from relaying her father's final agreement on the bid for her hand. She had been dreading this day since she became marrying age several months ago. When the news was brought that she was betrothed to Lord Roderick Fairholm of Calormen she almost swooned on the spot and Rosalyn was not one to swoon often.

As Marchioness an arranged marriage was to be expected in order to keep royal blood within the family as well as to make a good alliance. Rosalyn still could not believe her great misfortune to be promised to a Calormene simply to form an alliance with the country and its people. Not only had she never personally met her husband to be, he came from a country that was known for its cruelty and backwards ways.

"Provisions will be made readily in the servants' quarters for your trouble." Rosalyn managed to keep herself together as she addressed the messengers. The same could not be said for her state later that night.

She paced her room over two dozen times, wringing her hands and trying to stop the heavy flow of tears. It was useless because every time the tears slowed the thought that in a few months time her world would no longer belong to her brought them back anew. The worst part was there was no one in the whole castle she could confide in.

It was the winter Castle, used by the royals of Cair Linn as a way-house until the roads were clear enough for royals to travel once again. Even though she could not report the dreadful news in person, Rosalyn owed it to her dearest friend to at least write her the news. It might also prove to help her steady her own emotional state.

Tears fell from her eyes, staining the paper with their salt as she sat attempting to write the letter. It was hard to put her feelings into words, but if they weren't properly described with her words the tearstains alone would show her sentiments towards the proposal. Remembering her manners she inquired about her friend's health and life before ending the letter. She signed it informally before handing it to one of her handmaids and ordering them to ensure its safe passage.

After several hours of lying awake Rosalyn finally fell asleep with the notion that in a week's time her cousin would arrive and with him the horrid ring from her betrothed as well as the up and coming seamstress who will design the wedding dress. If only she could have stayed a child forever and never had to face marriage. It was nothing more than a slave trade with a pretty dress and ring instead of a signature sealing the loss of her freedom.

₤ †SEH† ₤

It was late afternoon on the fourth of December when Queen Lucy took to walking through the snow covered gardens of Cair Paravel. It was as she was passing by the frozen roses that two horsemen came cantering past her towards the stables. She hadn't remembered Pete or Ed mentioning any visitors so she followed them. Their faces were not familiar, but Lucy immediately recognized the Crest on their traveling cloaks.

Ushering them inside to the warmth they entered the kitchen where someone began running about and making tea. The rest of the kitchen was busy readying dinner for that night: ham with pineapple sauce by the smell of it.

"You're Majesty," The men addressed Lucy with a low bow, sliding a letter across the table to her. "This is addressed to you."

Lucy smiled her thanks to the man, taking the letter in her hand and carefully breaking the seal. She hadn't heard from Rosa in weeks and was eager to hear about what all happenings had come to pass for her friend at the castle Ivangord.

Dearest Lucy,

It is with great sadness and heaviness of heart that I am writing to you with the most dreadful news so I pray that thee is sitting down. My worst fear has come to be. As of the first of December I am officially betrothed. I am to be bound in matrimony Lucy, something I have never wanted. I have never even met the man. How can I be expected to tie myself to someone whom I have never spoken to let alone seen. For all I know he could be twelve years my elder with a gambling problem and a lifetime of debts. My only console is that the date has yet to be set. As it is my cousin will be arriving within a week's time with the heavy burden of a ring that I must wear.

I feel as if I am losing my hold on my life Luce. An arranged marriage is bad enough, but I fear it gets worse yet. My husband to be is a one Lord Roderick Fairholm of Calormen. Indeed I cannot believe it myself. What my father was thinking I have not an idea. A Calormene indeed. Bartering me off to the enemy: the highest paying bidder. I swear I shan't leave to live in that country Luce. I cannot. It is a most horrendous situation that I have found myself in indeed.

Sorry to have burdened you with such horrid news, but I figured you would rather hear it from me than from the gossips at court. I hope this sees you well. Give everyone my regards and tell Ed that he has yet to teach me how to handle a blade; I have not forgotten. Please write back and let me know how life at Cair Paravel has been, I need some news to distract me.

Rosa

"Oh no," Lucy gasped as she quickly reread her friends letter. It couldn't be. It was most dreadful indeed. The queen had always known marriage to be a symbol of love, but now it was being used as an exploitation of political alliances with her friend on the bad half of the deal.

The tear stains and shaky writing did not go unnoticed by the red haired queen. Lucy knew this was not what Rosalyn had wanted. They had both dreamed of love, even after it was brought to light that Rosa would inevitably have an arranged marriage if a suitable love match was not made before her nineteenth year. Poor Rosa for being forced into such a union. Lucy silently said a thankful prayer to Aslan that her brothers would never enforce anything like that on her.

"Thank you for your service." She nodded politely to the gentlemen before scurrying away set on finding her elder sister. Susan always knew what to do in order to set things right.

As it was the youngest queen found all three of her siblings awaiting dinner in the red library. They were stretched out in front of the fire. Glancing up from her book at the interruption Susan immediately noticed her sister's distress. Lucy's cheeks were pink while her eyes, widened in panic, threatened tears.

"Lucy, what's wrong?" Her question brought the King's attention to their younger sister.

It took a moment for Lucy to be able to breathe at an even enough rate to form words: short of breath from her run as well as from the news. Her siblings waited patiently for her to calm herself before she answered; anxious to discover what had put her in such a state of panic.

"It's Rosalyn. Susan, it's just dreadful, truly horrid." Lucy spoke in half formed thoughts and sentences as she paced before her sister.

"Has she fallen ill?" Susan asked urgently, trying to comprehend the situation at hand. Rosalyn was always closer with Lucy, even when having a couple years on the red haired queen, yet Susan was also quite fond of the Marchioness' company. It would bring her a heaviness of heart if the young woman had fallen gravely ill.

"Worse," Lucy countered darkly. "She is betrothed."

The rooms' inhabitants stared blankly at the young woman, each one processing the news of their dear friend's engagement slowly. Susan did not understand what was so horrid about being engaged. It was a common occurrence for young women Rosalyn's age and was normally seen as a joyous occasion. High King Peter also did not understand the dramatics that Lucy was putting on simply because her friend was to be wed, while Edmund refused to believe his sister's words.

"Betrothed? To be married?" The Just King asked dazedly. This earned him an eye roll from his elder brother.

"Of course Ed, what other betrothed is there?" Edmund responded with a childish comment unbefitting for a man of twenty and one let alone one of his station. The girls simply ignored their brothers' bickering, accustomed to such fights.

"Isn't an engagement more a means for celebration and not mourning?" Susan asked calmly, taking her sisters hand in hers to halt her pacing.

Edmund, having abandoned his and Peter's fight, harrumphed at Susan's description. Engagement and marriage were merely a means women had of ensnaring men in a life full of frills and catering to said women's needs. It made him shudder at the thought of any of the women at court wrapping their tentacles around him and attaching him to them for life.

Although Edmund highly doubted Rose was marrying simply to have a man to cater to her needs. He knew her better than that. Rose was much more the independent type with a free spirit who would scoff at the idea of a man supporting her. She would never force herself on a man, and for some unknown reason, the thought of her doing so caused him to frown.

"Oh Susan, you don't understand. She doesn't even know the ghastly man. It's arranged." Lucy sighed, plopping down on the couch beside her sister near the fire.

Peter was beginning to understand why his sister was so upset. Lucy was defensive of Rosalyn as well as Rosalyn's best interests. None of the Kings and Queens of Narnia favored arranged marriages for most of the time they were loveless matches made to increase wealth with no thought of the bride-to-be's feelings on the matter.

"Well then, if she does not know the man how does she know he is so undesirable?" Ever the logical one Susan was trying to explain away Lucy's unprecedented fears.

But Susan had not read the letter, seen the salt stains from Rosalyn's tears nor had she participated in any of the millions of conversations Lucy and Rosa had had about love and marriage. If she had, she would much better understand the tragedy that had unfolded on Lucy's dear friend.

"Because he's a Calormene!" Lucy all but shouted, annoyed with her sister's lack of concern.

Susan blanched, unable to come up with a proper response to Lucy's outburst. She couldn't very well further refute that Rosalynn couldn't be perfectly happy. The people of Calormen did not have the best of reputations. Nor did they have the best relationship with Narnia. Which explained the two Kings' reactions.

Edmond's eyes flashed, blazing angrily at the idea of Rosalyn having to be tied to a filthy, barbaric Calormene. The High King's reaction wasn't much different as his fists clenched tightly. Both men had heard rumors of how the Calormen treated their women. Peter had a feeling that they would be even harsher towards outsiders and Rosalyn was most definitely an outsider to them.

"Pete, we have got to do something." Edmund declared stonely. He wasn't sure what exactly they could do, but something must be done about this. A Calormene was no match for any Narnian.

"I know Ed, I know." Peter sighed, running a hand through his long hair before pulling out the Royal Stationary and a pen. "I just do not think there is much we can do."

A/N My first Narnia fanfic! Please don't be too harsh. I've only ever read several of the books and that was a long time ago, but I have watched all the movies. So this fic will mostly be of my own design when it comes to occurances and such but the characters (besides my OCs of course) belong to CS Lewis as well as the wonderful, magical world of Narnia.

I hope you enjoyed the very short first chapter. I'm still not 100% sure as to who will be interested in Rosalyn in more than a friend way and vice versa but as of now I'm leaning towards making this a Edmund fic. I'm not sure why, just feeling it. Let me know what you think!

Rach

xoxo